Highland Park FD set to provide fire & EMS to Highwood
Excerpts from the DailyHerald.com:
In a recent development, the city of Highwood has successfully negotiated agreements with its fire union and individual union members, paving the way for the potential dissolution of its fire department. If approved by Highwood voters in the upcoming referendum on March 15, this move would allow the municipality to transition its emergency services to the neighboring city of Highland Park.
The two communities have collaborated to draft a comprehensive 30-year contract that would enable Highland Park to take over fire and paramedic services starting July 1, contingent upon voter approval. Under this proposed agreement, Highwood would initially pay Highland Park $625,000 annually for emergency and fire inspection services. Subsequent payments would be adjusted annually based on inflation but capped at a 3% increase. The Highwood City Council had planned to vote on the deal during their session on November 17.
A crucial aspect of the accord involves Highwood resolving any existing labor disputes with its fire union, which is a branch of the International Association of Fire Fighters, prior to July 1. This includes addressing grievances raised by three first-year firefighters who were let go last spring just before completing their probationary periods. At the time, Highwood was restructuring its firefighting workforce and considering outsourcing some roles to Paramedic Services of Illinois. However, this plan was temporarily shelved after the union filed grievances, leading to the reinstatement of the dismissed firefighters as part-time employees.
Through the newly established agreements, Highwood plans to provide lump-sum severance payments to five firefighters, including those previously dismissed, should the referendum pass. Additionally, part-time employees would receive $25 per 24-hour shift worked between November 2015 and June 30, 2016, marking the anticipated closure of the department if the referendum is successful.
Both parties have mutually agreed to refrain from making negative comments about the city or its efforts to dissolve the fire department and will avoid interference with the referendum process. Furthermore, the union has pledged not to involve the Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois, an advocacy group, in discussions related to the cessation or the referendum itself.
It's worth noting that Highland Park’s Fire Station 34, located at 1100 Half Day Road, lies just a few blocks west of Highwood’s western boundary. Municipal authorities highlight that the department has been responding to numerous Highwood fire incidents under existing automatic and mutual aid agreements. Highwood, spanning less than one square mile and entirely encircled by Highland Park, presents a unique scenario for service integration.
Highwood anticipates saving approximately $684,000 in the first year alone and projects cumulative savings of $9.3 million over the first ten years of the agreement, assuming annual increases reach the maximum cap of 3%.
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This agreement represents a significant step forward for both municipalities, potentially enhancing efficiency while maintaining essential services for residents.
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